Tk 350m bridge lies unused in Manikganj's Ghior for four yrs

MANIKGANJ, June 17: A bridge built at a cost of nearly Tk 35 crore over the Kaliganga River in Ghior Upazila of Manikganj has remained unused for four years despite the completion of its main structure.

The bridge cannot be opened to traffic because the approach roads on both sides have not been constructed.

As a result, local residents continue to risk their lives by crossing the river on boats every day. Although a new tender worth around Tk 110 million was awarded for the construction of the approach roads, no visible progress has been made over the past six months, triggering growing tension among local people.

A recent visit to the site found the 365-metre-long bridge standing idle in Boikanthapur area of Ghior UPAZILA. Since the approach roads, retention walls, and connecting paved roads remain incomplete on both ends, no vehicles can use the bridge.

Consequently, local residents still rely on ferry boats to transport motorcycles, bicycles, agricultural produce, and daily necessities across the river.

According to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), construction work of the bridge was undertaken under the Construction of Important Bridges on Rural Roads (CIBRR) Project.

The joint venture of Orient Trading and Builders and M/S Kohinoor Enterprise was awarded the construction contract.

The project initially involved an expenditure of approximately Tk 290million for the bridge and Tk56 million for the approach roads, bringing the total project cost to Tk 346 million. Construction began in 2016, and the main bridge structure was completed in 2022.

However, due to land acquisition complications, the approach roads could not be constructed, preventing the bridge from becoming operational.

Subsequently, a new project worth Tk112.2 million was approved for the construction of approximately 600 metres of approach roads, retention walls, and paved road sections on both sides of the bridge. As a result, the overall project cost has now risen to nearly Tk 450 million.

LGED officials said that a total of 4.96 per cent of the land on both sides of the river needs to be acquired for the approach roads. The prolonged delay in land acquisition has been the main reason behind the project's stagnation. The work is now scheduled to be completed by December this year.

The bridge's prolonged closure has affected residents of numerous villages on both sides of the river. On the eastern bank, residents of Purba Uthali, Boikanthapur, Nakibbari, Sarabghat, Char Maijakhara, Dolapara and Char Bilnalai are among those facing difficulties. On the western bank, people from Baliabadh, Ariadah, Bailtala, Mirzapur, Beradanga, Shimulia, Atgharia, Kerannagar, Natuabari, and Ashapur continue to suffer. Local residents estimate that people from at least 30 villages are directly affected.

Lutfar Rahman, a local resident, said, "The bridge was completed a long time ago, but it is of no use because the roads have not been built. We still have to cross the river by ferry every day. Once the bridge becomes operational, it will save both time and transportation costs."

Abdul Latif Biswas of Boikonthapur said, "Thousands of people cross the river every day. After the bridge was built, everyone thought their suffering would

end. But we still have to wait for ferry boats. Spending such a huge amount of money on a bridge that brings no benefit to people is unacceptable."

Local farmer Ali Ahmed said, "Most people in this area depend on agriculture. We still have to rely on ferry boats to transport crops to market. This increases both travel time and transportation costs. The authorities should resolve the problem and make the bridge operational as soon as possible."

Student Kaushik Mahbub said, "We have to cross the river every day to attend school and college. The situation becomes especially difficult during the monsoon season. Opening the bridge would make commuting much easier for students."

Trader Ahad Hossain said, "Once the bridge is opened, communication with Ghior Upazila headquarters and the district town will become much easier. Trade and business activities will also expand. However, the slow pace of work has disappointed everyone."

Md. Rafiq, proprietor of M/S SR Enterprise (JV), the contractor responsible for the approach road construction, said, "There are some complications related to land acquisition and soil filling. Once the river water level rises during the monsoon, sand and earth will be transported through bulkheads to accelerate the work."

SM Lutfar Rahman, executive engineer of LGED Manikganj, said, "An allocation of approximately Tk110 million has been approved for the construction of nearly 600 metres of approach roads to facilitate vehicular movement across the bridge. The contractor has been instructed to expedite the work. We are making every effort to open the bridge as quickly as possible and reduce public suffering."

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